How to Charge a Yuasa Battery

by Matt Kester

Yuasa manufactures batteries for a wide variety of applications, including industrial, marine, automotive, motorcycle, golf cart and wheeled mobility vehicle applications. Battery-charging details, such as exact current settings, will vary according to the specifications of each battery. Minor details aside, the overall process is nearly the same for all Yuasa batteries.

Identify the battery by finding its model number. Use this number to locate the battery's specifications in the Yuasa Battery Applications and Specifications manual. Note the rated ampere-hour value for the battery.

Put on safety glasses and prepare the battery for charging by removing the positive and negative leads connecting it to the vehicle. Use a wire-bristle brush to clean up the terminal ends. Some batteries will be marked "MF," indicating that they are maintenance-free. These batteries have sealed cells and should not be opened. On batteries not marked "MF," remove the vent caps and check the levels. Refill the cells with distilled water until the level just covers the metal plates. Replace the vent caps.

Test the battery's charge using a voltmeter. Batteries that read 9.75 volts or higher will require 3-6 hours charging. Those between 3.25 volts and 9.75 volts will require roughly 5-11 hours. Batteries below 3.25 volts will need to be charged anywhere from 13-20 hours.

Set the charging current on the charger to one-tenth of the rated ampere-hour value you located for the battery in Step 1. Connect the charger's positive and negative leads to their respective terminals on the battery. Turn on the charger.

Monitor the battery's voltage level periodically as it charges. Check to make sure the battery does not become hot to the touch. If it does, stop the charging process and resume after the battery has cooled.

Finish the charging process when the battery's level reaches 13 volts. Turn off the charger and disconnect the leads from the battery's terminals. Return the battery to service by reconnecting the vehicle's positive and negative leads to the battery's respective terminals.

Warning

closeAlways wear safety glasses when servicing a battery. Batteries can explode and send debris and acid into unprotected eyes.

Items you will need

References

About the Author

Matt Kester began writing professionally in 2011. His ten years of experience in the construction, transportation and oil and gas industries give him a broad technical knowledge base to draw upon for writing eHow articles. Currently a student, Kester will receive his B.A. in political science from Arizona State University in May, 2012.